Are Higher Doses of Cholesterol Drugs Worth the Extra Money?
When it comes to cholesterol-lowering drugs, more is better. At least, that’s what heart doctors and heart patients have been hearing in recent years. And as a result, more patients are taking higher doses of drugs called statins – leading to lower heart and stroke risk, but higher prescription drug costs and more frequent side effects.
Now, a new study looks at whether those higher doses, and higher costs, are really going to pay off for some patients. For those with a recent heart attack or what doctors call ‘acute coronary syndrome’, the answer is yes, the researchers say.
Low Vitamin D Levels Linked to Poor Physical Performance
Older adults who don’t get enough vitamin D – either from their diets or exposure to the sun – may be at increased risk for poor physical performance and disability, according to new research from Wake Forest University School of Medicine and colleagues.
“With a growing older population, we need to identify better ways to reduce the risk of disability,” said lead author Denise Houston, Ph.D. “Our study showed a significant relationship between low vitamin D levels in older adults and poorer physical performance.”
